All About That Face

The swimsuit issue is undeniably body-focused. But every once in a while, a photo appears that’s entirely focused on the model’s beautiful face.

Same Suit, Different Babe: Natasha and…Alison?

Alison Brie has a nice swimsuit spread in GQ Mexico. This shot in particular caught my eye:

Sure enough, it’s the same suit Natasha Barnard wore in 2014:

I'm Off to a Slow Start in 2015

And I guess I just felt in the mood for some 2013-era Natasha Barnard.

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By the way, the Angie Everhart photo I'm using for the January banner is from a scan by Bellazon user Juju62.

One-Piece Wednesday: Natasha Barnard, 2014

Ariel and Areolae

So I’ve been making my way through the bikini avalanche, and I think 2014 is an excellent issue. There’s definitely less obnoxious Photoshopping involved. To demonstrate, I turn—as I so often do—to Ariel Meredith’s butt.

On the left is a shot from 2013. On the right is one from this year.

The difference is apparent. Last year’s butt has been rendered smooth and plastic, like a mannequin’s. But this year, there are goosebumps, textures, signs that this is actual human skin.

This is true throughout the issue. There’s more creasing and puckering in the skin, more color variation in the faces, even signs of the thin, light hair that covers a normal human body. The overall effect is apparent—SI has made an effort to veer away from Uncanny Valley, and it’s great to see.

Also, check out Natasha:

I suppose since they have literal Barbie photos in this issue, the irony became too unwieldy. No more disconcerting nipple-lessness.

I'll Take One of Those Oxygen Masks Now

By now, you've seen the Air New Zealand safety video featuring Ariel, Hannah, Jessica, Chrissy, and Christie.

I thought I'd rummage through my brain and post a couple more shots of models with planes. I'm sure there are more.

 

Has the Swimsuit Issue Gotten Too Explicit? (2)

Am I the only one who’s a little creeped out by the boobcam?

(And its cousin, the buttcam?)

It might seem odd for someone with an unabashed love of the swimsuit issue to complain about objectification, but that’s the cumulative effect of all these photos of disembodied breasts.

I understand that this practice allows the crew to provide some previews without giving away the models’ identities. But it is possible to do that without serving up the body parts so blatantly. For example: 

Make no mistake, I look at these photos. Heck, I am literally right now sharing some of them on my blog.

And if it was an occasional thing, without the “boobcam” title, I don’t think it would bother me. But the “check out all these breasts” nature makes me uneasy.

I like boobs, but I like them in context.

Maybe it’s just another nudity dichotomy, where the dirty truth is revealed to me—the swimsuit issue is essentially a titty magazine, despite my desire to see it as something more fun and innocent.

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Speaking of previews, the swimsleuths at Bellazon have identified one of the 2014 locations, even providing a local eyewitness report of a Kate Bock sighting.

Add Switzerland to the list of exotic locales to be draped with SI bikini models!

The Stories I Missed

I got caught up in ranking the top 50 swimsuit models, then I neglected to revisit some of these tidbits about our girls. Here are some non-SI appearances I missed.

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Crystal Renn did some truly beautiful photos for Harper’s Bazaar España:

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Kate Upton continued her high fashion quest with a shoot for Vogue Brasil:

…as well as a David Yurman campaign.

With all the boob emphasis, you mustn’t forget how gorgeous her face is.

But she stayed true to her swimsuit roots by modeling a Chrissy Teigen line of bridal bikinis, which are apparently a thing.

This article brings up a pretty funny point… “Don’t ‘bridal bikinis’ sound like something she would totally go on a tirade about on Twitter?”

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Irina Shayk did a severely badass photoshoot for GQ Russia:

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Izabel Goulart kicked equal amounts of ass for GQ Brasil:

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And Hannah Davis looked real cute in Ocean Drive.

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Meanwhile, Bar Refaeli, Natasha Barnard, and (welcome back!) Petra Nemcova have fulfilled their ends of the bargain and come out with new lingerie shoots, for Passionata, Leonisa, and Wild Orchid respectively:

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Finally, Alyssa Miller showed off her bikini talents in a glammed-up campaign for Manor swimwear.

And now you are more or less caught up!